Martin



M. W. GILMARTIN.

PROJECTILE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 4. 1915 Patented Sept. 2,1919.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l- M. W. GILMARTIN.

EET 2.

Patented Sept.

2 S H E E TSS H CHM/nus MICHAEL W. GILMARTIN, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

PROJECTILE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 2, 1919.

Application filed November 4, 1915. Serial No. 59,636.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, MICHAEL V. GIL- MARTIN, a citizen of the United States, residing at New York, in the county of New York and State, of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Projectiles,,of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to projectiles, and

is designed particularly to generally improve the detail'features of construction of the projectile forming the subject matter of Patent No. 996,403, issued to me on or about the 27th day of June, 1911.

The invention, while applicable generally to projectiles which are designed to explode after leaving the gun, is especially directed to armor-piercing high explosive shells and shrapnel, and other projectiles for heavy rifled ordnance, and the explosion of the bursting charges of such projectiles is effected through the medium of time or percussion fuses, the time fuses being ignited from the firing charge of the gun. One of the most salient objects of the invention is the provision of a projectile wherein the necessity of cutting a band score out of the body of the same for accommodating the rotating band is eliminated to avoid the weakening of the body of the projectile and to prevent the working loose of the rotating band when applied to the body of said proj ectile, and at the same time assuring against the possibility of the gases of the firing charge of the gun when exploded from passing forwardly of the rotating band, which would result in the retardation of its velocity when leaving the gun, as well as wear on the latter.

Heretofore, by reason of the manner in which the rotating bands are placed upon the shells of the projectiles used in the United States and foreign navies, it is impossible for an accurate inspection when once they are in place to ascertain that they have a firm grip on the body of the shell for the positive rotation of the projectiles in the bore of the gun when delivered therefrom.-

In event that the rotating band slips the shell will tumble and not reach its target, whereas the present invention provides for the secure fastening of the rotating band upon the shell and the observation of this fact can be had after the band is in its place Without any doubt of its grip on the shell, and such band "will have a tendency to tighten by reason of the reverse locking action thereof relative to the rotation of the shell when traversing the bore of the gun.

Another salient object of the invention is the provision of the projectile of this character wherein the base plug is mounted in the body of the shell so that the latter cannot possibly spread and thereby free the base plug when an explosion takes place interiorly of the shell, and additionally, the body of the shell can be conveniently made from tubular stock or the walls thereof of uniform thickness, thus giving maximum fragmentation with the use of black powder or high explosives,and permits the presenting of a solid base, construction for the firing charges which makes it impossible for the gases to enter the shell as the joint of the base with the body is remote therefrom and forwardly of the rotating band which blocks the gases to hold the same rearwardly of the shell, thereby spending the full effect of the firing charge directly upon the base to carry the projectile in true range to its target.

A further salient object of the invention is the provision of a projectile of this character wherein the body and base of the shell are separable from each other and the,

said base is adapted to carry the fuse and a small part of the explosive, while the body carries the major portion of the explosive or balls for shrapnel, so that it will be in close contact with the high explosives, which latter are packed within the base and the body of the shell, whereby the body of said shell can be transported from one point at a low freight rate while the base carrying the fuse can be transported from another point at a high freight rate, and in this event, should either the base or the body of the shell come into the hands of an enemy during war activities, it would be impossible to make use thereof, and in this manner rendering it safe in the transit of the projectiles.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a projectile wherein the time fuse is ignited directly from the firing charge and the head of the projectile carries a mass of balls and explosive substance, which latter is ignited in succession with the base charge which will blow the head off violently for the free passage of the balls from the body of the projectile by the force and effect of the bursting charge in the base of the projectile.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a projectile whereina small part of the time fuse substance is packed in its cavity therein to a pressure in excess of the bore pressure of the firing charge.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a projectile of this character wherein high explosives can be used as well as a base grade of explosives or black powder and the explosion of the shell effected through the medium of a time fuse which is ignited from the firing charge of the gun, the time fusebeing of novel construction and adaptable for application to the projectile constructed in the form of the shrapnel type so that the balls will be delivered from the projectile and scattered at the head thereof.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a projectile wherein the body and the base thereof in details are generally improved to render the projectile more serviceable and to eliminate premature explosions and faulty construction, and thereby assure the full force and effect of the firing charges and the explosion of the shell with maximum fragmentation.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a projectile in which all of the ordinary service operations may be performed with safety.

Other objects will be in part obvious and in part hereinafter pointed out.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combination of elements and arrangement of parts which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter set forth, and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the claims hereunto appended.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view through a projectile, showing the shrapnel structure and time fuse constructed in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a view looking toward the nose end of the projectile;

Fig. 4 is a sectional of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view of a modified form of projectile, showing the shrapnel structure and time fuse;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view on the line 66 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a view looking toward the nose end of the projectile;

Fig. 8 is a sectional view on the line 88 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 9 is a detail view of the perforating 1n. p Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

Referring to the drawings in detail,

view on the line 3-3 Figs. 1 to 1, there is shown a projectile comprising a body A which can be made from bar or tubular stock and is suitably reamed to give the required internal diameter thereto to provide a chamber or bore B designed to contain the bursting charge which, in this instance, includes balls 10 packed in any ordinary explosive or bursting substance 11 so that the projectile in its nature is of the shrapnel type. The body A is formed with a thickened end 12 having heavy internal screw threads 13 for the connection with the body of a detachable base C which is formed with a reduced neck 14: having external threads 15 in correspondence with the threads 18 for engagement therewith. The base C, concentrically of the neck 15, is formed with an inwardly tapered groove 16 in which is received a correspondingly shaped annular locking rib or flange 17 formed on the end 12 of the body A so that when the latter is connected with the base C there is no possibility of the base separating from the body by force of the bursting charge when exploded. In this connection it will be noted that the thick ened end 12 has the threads 18 extended throughout the same, while the threads 15 on the neck 14: of the base C extend from the outer end of the neck to a point without the groove 16 so that a secure union is had between the body A and the base C of the projectile, while the rib or flange 1'? locking in the groove 16 positively prevents any outward expansion of the body A under the effect of the bursting charge and thereby eliminates the possibility of the loosening of the base C or the tearing away of the same from the body of the projectile.

Formed externally in. the base C at the circumference thereof is a spaced annular channel for crimping cartridge case and forming a gas circulating pocket 18 for the firing charge of the gun. The base C forwardly of the pockets 18 therein is formed with a peripheral rebate providing a. seat 19 for a rotating band or ring 20. The straight wall 21 of this seat 19 serves as an abutment or stop for the inner area of the major portion of the band 20, which is made from soft metal, and also said wall 21 forms a shoulder 22 which is designed to coact with a shoulder 23 formed in the thickened end 12 of the body A of the projectile to secure the band 20 against longitudinal displacement upon the projectile. The rotating band 20 is forwardly beveled at 2 1, while the rear thicker portion is formed with a thin annular edge 25 serving as what may be termed an apron overlapping the shoulder 22 and a portion of the pocket or channel 18 next thereto so that a portion of the firing charge will be cupped in the pocket 18 to have the pressure thereof act directly upon the thin edge 25 of the rotating band especially 20 to flare the same against the bore of the gun and thus check the gases of the firing charge against windage between the body of the Projectile and the wall of the bore of the gun. The inner periphery of the rotating band or ring 20 is formed with a heavy single spiral thread 26 which has its trend disposed diversely to the trend or course of the threads 13 and 15 in the body and on the base (1 respectively, so that the band or ring 20 can be securely fastened in the seat 19 and will become more firmly locked by reason of the reverse threaded engagement thereof with respect to the threaded engagement of the base of the body when the projectile is rotated by rifiing in the gun, thus positively assuring against the working loose of the rotating band or ring or the slipping thereof when the projectile is driven from the gun by the firing charge therein.

Formed in the base G centrally thereof is a chamber or recess 27 for accommodating a quick burning powder 2 8, and this chamber or recess 27 opens through the neck 14 which is closed through the medium of an intercepting disk or plate 29 having a reduced portion 30 telescoped within the neck, with its peripheral portion bearing against the latter, the powder 28 being ignited from the time fuse hereinafter fully described.

Carried at the nose end of the body A is a nose plate 31 which is formed with an externally threaded rim 32, the threads of which are light and detachablv engage corresponding threads 33 formed interiorly of the nose end of the said body for the detachable mounting of the nose plate 31 thereon. Passed through the nose end of the body 5 and the rim 32 is alocking pin 34 which prevents the working loose of the nose plate 31 when screwed upon the body. This nose plate 31 is formed with a central opening 35 for accommodating the forward or outer end of an outer fuse sleeve or tube 36 which is arranged centrally of the body A and has its rear end tapped into the disk or plate 29, while passed centrally through the sleeve or tube 3 6 is the inner fuse tube 37, the inner end of which is-tapped into a boss 38 formed centrally at the inner end of the chamber or recess 2-7 for communication with the inner reduced end 39 of a fuse bore, the wider or larger end 40 of which has packed therein under pressure of fifty thousand pounds per square inch meal powder 41 to resist the pressure of the firing charge of the gun, while the tubes 36 and 37 contain loose quick burning powder adapted to be ignited directly from the firing charge of the gun and controlled by the time fuse controlling mechanism hereinafter fully described.

Mounted upon the nose plate 31 is the time fuse controlling mechanism which comprises the nose base 42 formed with a central boss 43 receiving the outer end of the inner fuse tube 37, the nose base 42 being stationarily secured to the nose plate 31 through the medium of anchoring pins 44 which are secured in the plate 31 and en-' gaged in the nose base 42, the outer end of the inner fuse tube 37 being externally threaded for the detachable mounting thereon of a cap 45 engaged in a seat 46 formed in the outer end of the boss 43, which latter is externally threaded for the detachable engagement therewith of a nose tip 47 which is countersunk in a seat 48 formed in a rotating dial 49 journaled'upon the boss 43 and held thereon by the tip 47 between it and the nose base 42 for the setting of the time fuse controlling mechanism hereinafter further described.

Located between the stationary nose base 42 and the rotatable dial 49 is a perforatable thin metal diaphragm 50 which {has its outer edge crimped at 51 in a groove 52 formed in the nose base 42, and this diaphragm serves as a closure for an annular fuse channel formed in the nose base 42, while communicating with this channel 53, at one point thereof, which is adapted to contain a quick burning powder, is a passage 54 which leads into communication with the space between the outer fuse tube 36 and the inner fuse tube 37, the passage 54 also being designed to contain quick burning powder. The space between the outer fuse tube 36 and the inner fuse tube 37 communicates through an opening 66 in the tube 36 with the space containing the charge 64, so that said charge may be exploded to blow off the nose, at the same time that the powder flashes down the space between the two tubes 36 and 37 and through the intercepting plate 29 that retains the bursting charge in the base, while the bore through the inner fuse tube 37 leads into a concave recess 55 formed in the nose tip 47, the said recess 55 being also filled with quick burning powder and leading from the same at one point thereof is a passage 56 which communicates with an annular groove 57 at any point thereof formed in the dial 49, and this groove 57 has leading therefrom a passage 58 formed in the dial and directed for communication with the channel 53 throughout the extent thereof, the dial 49 being fitted with a perforating pin 59 which intersects the passage 58 and has its tip 60 channeled at 61 for registration with the passage 58 which contains quick burning powder to make the passage 58 continuous so that when the diaphragm 50 is punctured by the tip 60 of the pin 59 the fuse within the channel 53 will become ignited from the quick burning powder within the passage 58. The pin 59 is threaded in the dial 49 so that it can be screwed inwardly of the dial, whereby the tip 60 will penetrate the diaphragm 50, thereby establishing communication between the channel 53 and the said passage 58 which. leads from the recess 55 in the nose tip 47 so that communication will be had with the inner fuse tube 87 for the working of the time fuse. The dial 49 on its outer face is provided with suitable graduating marks 62 which coiiperate with a pointer mark 63 on the nose tip 47 so that the dial can be set for the timing of the ignition of the fuse within the channel 53 by piercing or puncturing the diaphragm 50 at any point thereof for communication between the channel and the passage 58, whereby the quick burning powder when ignited will light the fuse within said channel, and the point where the quick burning powder is lighted through the puncture in the diaphragm 50 to the point of communication of said channel with the passage 54; times the explosion of the bursting charge within the nose of the projectile. The bursting charge within the nose of the projectile comprises meal powder and shellac 64c packed within the space formed by the run 82 of the nose plate 31 and balls 65 embedded in the said powder, the outer fuse tube 36 being formed with an aperture 66 near the forward end thereof for permitting the quick burning powder within the space between the outer fuse tube 36 and the inner fuse tube 87 to explode the bursting charge in the nose thereof, which spreads the balls 65 when the projectile is bursted at the nose. The charge in the nose portion is first fired thereby firing the charge in the body, and immediately thereafter the charge in the base is fired through the medium of the quick burning powder in tube 36. It will be apparent that the setting of the dial 49 at the nose of the projectile and the puncturing of the diaphragm 50 controls the time fuse for the bursting of the projectile at a predetermined interval by the time fuse which is ignited directly from the firing charge of the gun.

The nose base concentrically of the boss 13, is formed with ratchet teeth 67, with which engages a spring catch 68 mounted in a niche 69 formed in the inner face of the rotating dial 49 so that the latter can be locked when adjusted for controlling the ignition of the time fuse.

Formed in the dial i9 is a vent 70 which communicates with the space occupied by the diaphragm 50 and opens to the atmosphere. Likewise, formed in the nose plate 31 is a vent 71 which communicates with the space occupied by the bursting charge of the nose of the projectile.

In Figs. 5, 6, 7 and 8 there is shown a modification of the projectile, which includes time and percussion fuses and the shrapnel bursting charge, the body 71 and base 72 fuse tube 77 which extends longitudinally through the body 71' into the nose cap 78 which is detachably threaded in the nose end of the body 71 and carries a nose bursting charge including meal powder and shellac 79 and balls 80, while the body 77 is packed with'meal powder or rosin 81 and balls 82 which, with the nose charge and powder in the carton, forms the shrapnel bursting charge of the projectile. Passed through the outer fuse tube 77 is a time fuse controlling tube 83 which has its inner end tapped into a rotatable diaphragm Set mounted in the chamber or recess of the base 7 2 next to the closed end 76 of the carton 7 3, and this rotatable diaphragm 8% is formed with an aperture 85 near its periphery for communication with a time fuse channel 86 formed in the closed end 76 of the carton 7 3 which has communication with the quick powder through a passage 87 at one point of the groove, it being evident that on the turning of the diaphragm 8% the aperture can be moved to any point of the channel 86 for the ignition of the fuse therein close to or at a remote point from the passage 87 and thereby timing the ignition of the explosive 75 in the carton 73, the ignition being effected through the aperture 85 from powder within a passage 89 formed in the base 7 2 and opening through the periphery thereof,

the fuse being lighted or ignited directly from the firing charge of the gun. The passage 89 has the branch passages 90 and 91 respectively. The latter passage 91 leads to a central vent bore 91 in the rod 83, which bore opens through the nose end of the said rod, while the passage 90 permits the passage of the flame through the aperture 85 in the diaphragm 84 for igniting the fuse in the channel 86 which times the ignition of the high explosive 75 in the carton 7 3 for dispersing the charge in the body 71 of the projectile. The space between the tube 77 and the rod 83 is filled with quick burning powder for exploding the nose charge 79,

the tube 77, near its forward end, being formed with an opening 92 for permitting the burning of the fuse into the nose charge for exploding the same, while the tube 77, near its inner end, is formed with an aperture 93 which opens into the carton 7 3 0011- taining the explosive 75 so that when the latter is ignited it will flash a flame through the aperture 93' for the burning of the quick powder between the tube 77 and the rod 83 so that the nose charge will be exploded.

It is to be understood that when the bursting charge 75 is ignited there is a slight delayed action due to the time required for the gases from the bursting charge in the base to generate enough power to force disk 29 forward to blow ofi the head. Due to this slight delayed action the very quick powder between tube 77 and rod 88 is flashed through aperture 93 and furnishes a quick flame between tubes 77 and rod 88 through opening 92, thus igniting the powder in the nose which will blow the nose off. In other words, the quick powder between the tube and rodl will ignite the packed .powder in the body and the loose powder in the nose at about the same time, as the ignition of the packed powder will be slower than that of the loose powder. Thus, due to the delayed action of the bursting charge acquiring sufficient pressure to burst the shell, and the quick flash of the powder between the tube and rod, and the quick ignition of the loose powder in the nose and slower ignition of the powder in the body, the charges will be caused to explode at about the same instant, but,, should there be any difference in the timing actions of the bursting of the portions of the projectile, the nose will be blown off first, owing to the fact that it is of the weak.- est construction.

Mounted on the forward end of the rod 83 is the nose tip 94 which constitutes a dial for the setting of the time fuse, and this tip is provided on its outer face with graduated marks and suitable indicia to cooperate with a pointer on the nose cap 78 for controlling the ignition of the time fuse.

Pivot-ally mounted in the nose tip 94: is a spring held handle released catch 95 which engages with a toothed surface 96 formed on the nose tip 78 so that the dial 94: can be locked in its adjusted position and is also readily releasable by the said catch 95 for the timing of the fuse.

Formed in the closed end 76 of the carton 73 is a stop channel 97 in which projects a stop pin 98 mounted on the diaphragm 84,

the pin 98 being designed to limit the rotation of the diaphragm 84: by contacting with the ends of the channel 97 in the closed end 75 of the carton 73 when setting the time fuse.

The passage 89 is restricted for the inner portion of its length and throughout its branches 90 and 91 so that the fuse can be packed therein under pressure in excess of the bore pressure of the firing charge of the un.

a It will be apparent that by reason of the chamber or recess formed in the base of the projectile the explosive can be placed within said base for the close contact of the fuse, either a time fuse or a percussion fuse, and furthermore the base with the fuse and the explosive therein can be shipped or transported independently of the body of the projectile, which may also be packed with explosives distinguishable from the shrapnel character, which can be shipped or transported at a lower freight rate than the freight rate for the base carrying the fuse and explosive.

The design of the body of the projectile can be varied to adapt it for armor piercing high explosive shells, shrapnel and other projectiles for heavy rifled ordnance. Should the time fuse fail to explode the bursting charge of the projectile the percussion fuse will become effective for this purpose and it is understood that the time fuse can be dispensed with and in lieu thereof the percussion fuse substituted or vice versa, and in the event of the use of the percussion fuse the same is supported centrally within the mass of explosive within the chamber or recess in the base of the projectile. In charging the projectile any standard fuse may be employed and any well known high explosive.

It will be obvious that upon removing the shrapnel and the intercepting plate from within the body of the projectile it will be adaptable for receiving high explosive, thereby converting the projectile into a high explosive shell.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, the construction and manner of operation of the projectile will be readily understood, and a more extended explanation has, therefore, been omitted.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In a projectile, a body for receiving a bursting charge, a base separable from the body and having a recess for accommodating a fuse and explosive means effecting threaded connection and means efi'ecting interlocking connection between the body and base, and a rotating band overlapping the interlocking connection and encircling the outer portion of the body at the base thereof.

2. In a projectile, a body, abase detachable from the body and forming a continuation thereof to increase the internal bursting charge capacity, a fuse located within the said base for close contact thereof with a bursting charge means effecting threaded connection and means effecting interlocking connection between the body and base, and a rotating band overlapping the interlocking connection and encircling the outer portion of the body at the base thereof.

3. In a projectile, a body having a bursting charge receiving chamber, a base separable from the body and having a chamber coincident with the chamber in the body, a locking rib formed on the body and engageable in the base to prevent the outward expanding of the said body relative to. the

base and a band passing around said base and body along the line of contact between the base and body, said band including a heavy internal thread constituting a reinforcing rib engaging the base and projecting inwardly at an angle with reference to the rib on the body.

4:. In a projectile, a body, a base detachably threaded in the body and having an external annular seat at its point of juncture with the body and also having an annular external channel contiguous to the seat, and a rotating band fitted within the seat and engageable with the base for locking action reversely to the engaging action of the base with the body, said band including a heavy internal rib constituting a thread.

5. In a projectile, a body, a base separable from the body and having an external seat circumferentially thereof, and a rotating band mounted in the seat and having a tapered forward end portion with a remaining portion of greater external diameter than the diameter of the base, the said rotating band being formed with a thin rear edge, the base being formed with an annular groove next to the rotating band and having a portion of its width underlylng the thin edge thereof, the band overlapping the joint between the base and the body.

6. In a projectile, a body, a base separable from the body and having an external seat circumferentially thereof, and a rotating band mounted in the seat and having a tapered forward end portion with a remaining portion of greater external diameter than the diameter. of the base, the said rotating band being formed with a thin rear edge, the base being formed with an annular groove next to the rotating band and having a portion of its width underlying the thin edge thereof, the rearmost wall of said seat forming a shoulder for the rotating band, and the front portion of the band abutting and overlapping the ends of the body adjacent to the base.

7. In a projectile, a body, a base detachably connected with the body, and a rotating band mounted upon the base and engaged by the body when the base is detachably con nected therewith, the respective edge portions of the band abutting and having overlapping engagement with adjacent portions of the base and body.

8. Ina projectile, a body, a base detachably connected with the body, a rotating band mounted upon the base and engaged by the body when the base is detachably connected therewith, the said base being formed with an external channel, and a thin expanding edge formed on the rotating band and protruded partly over the channel to form a gas check for the bore pressure of the firing charge of a gun, the respective edge portions of the band abutting and having overlapping engagement with adj acent portions of the base and body.

9. In a projectile, a body having a separable base formed with a chamber alining with the chamber in the body for the bursting charge and adapted to accommodate a fuse, said base and body having threaded connection, the base and body interlocking at a point adj acent the threaded connection, and means overlapping the interlocking portions.

10. In a projectile, a body having a separable base formed with a chamber alining with the chamber in the body for the burstlng charge and adapted to accommodate a fuse, the said base being formed with a reduced external threaded neck for its detachable engagement with the body, and a rib formed on the body to project concentrically of the neck of the base to engage therein for preventing outward expansion of the bodv on the exploding of its bursting charge, and a t me fuse arranged within the base and ignited directly from the firing charge of a gun, a charge within the base, and means for firing the charge from the nose portion after the ignition of the time fuse.

11. In a projectile, a body having a separable base formed with a chamber alining with the chamber in the body for the bursting charge and adapted to accommodate a fuse, the said base being formed with a reduced external threaded neck for its detachable engagement with the body, a rib formed on the body to project concentricallv of the neck of the base to engage therein for preventing outward expansion of the body on the exploding of its bursting charge, a time fuse arranged within the base and ignited directly from the firing charge of a gun, and mechanism operable the nose of the body for regulating the time fuse for setting the time period of the ignition thereof.

12. In a projectile, a body having a sepa rable base formed with a chamber alining with the chamber in the body for the burst- 1ng charge and adapted to accommodate a fuse, the said base being formed with a reduced external threaded neck for its detachable engagement with the body, a rib formed on the body to project concentrically of the neck of the base to engage therein for preventing outward expansion of the body on the exploding of its bursting charge, a time fuse arranged within the base and ignited directly from the firing charge of a gun, mechanism operable at the no se of the body for regulating the time fuse for setting the time period of the ignition thereof, and a removable nose cap carried by the body and having a bursting charge independent of the bursting charge within the body. v

13, In a projectile, a body having a sepa- IOU rable base formed with a chamber alining with the chamber in the body for the bursting charge and adapted to accommodate a fuse, the said base being formed w1th a reduced external threaded neck for its detachable engagement with the body, a rib formed on the body to project concentrically of the neck of the base to engage therein for preventing outward expansion of the body on the exploding of its burstlng charge, a time fuse arranged within the base and ignited directly from the firing charge of a gun, mechanism operable at the nose of the body for regulating the time fuse for setting the time period of the ignition thereof, a removable nose cap carried by the body and having a bursting charge independent of the bursting charge within the body, and an explosive carried within the base and hidependent of the bursting charge in the body.

14. In a projectile, a body having a separable base formed with a chamber ahning with the chamber in the body for the burst ing charge and adapted to accommodate a fuse, the said base being formed with a reduced external threaded neck for its detachable engagement With the body, a rib formed on the body to project concentr cally of the neck of the base to engage therein for preventing outward expansion of the body on the exploding of its bursting charge, a time fuse arranged within the base and 1gnited directly from the firing charge of a gun, mechanism operable at the nose of the body for regulating the tune fuse for setting the time period of the ignition thereof, a removable nose cap carried by the body and having a bursting charge independent of the bursting charge wlthin the body, an explosive carried within the base and lndependent of the bursting charge in the body, and means for conducting the flame from the time fuse in the base to the bursting charge in the nose cap for exploding the same.

15. In a projectile, a body having separable nose and base caps, the said base cap being formed with a chamber for receiving explosive, independent burstlng charges in the base and nose cap, firing means for the charges including concentrically arranged tubular devices connected with'the chambers carrying the charges, and heavy and light threads connecting the base and nose cap respectively to the body.

16. In a projectile, a body having separable nose and basecaps, the said base cap being formed with a chamber for receiving explosive, independent bursting charges in the base and nose cap, heavy and light threads. connecting the base and nosecap respectively to the body, and time fuse mechanism mounted within the base and ignited directly from the firing charge of a gun and exploding the charge in the nose cap prior to the charge in the base.

17. In a projectile, a body having separable nose and base caps, the said base cap being formed with a chamber for receiving explosive, independent bursting charges in the base and nose cap, heavy and light threads connecting the base and nose cap respectively to the body, time fuse mechanism mounted within the base and ignited directly from the firing charge of a gun, and means at the nose of the cap for setting the time fuse.

18. In a projectile, a body having separable nose and base caps, the said base cap being formed with a chamber for receiving explosive, independent bursting charges in the base and nose cap, heavy and light threads connecting the base and nose cap respectively to the body, time fuse mechanism mounted within the base and ignited directly from the firing charge of a gun, means at the nose of the cap for setting the time fuse, and means cooperative with the time fuse mechanism for directing the flame on the ignition of the time fuse from the base to the nose end of the body.

19. In a projectile, a body having separable nose and base caps, the said base cap being formed with a chamber for receiving explosive, independent bursting charges in the base and nose cap, heavy and light threads connecting the base and nose cap respectively to the body, time fuse mechanism mounted within the base and ignited directly from the firing charge of a gun, means at thenose of the cap for setting the time fuse, means cooperative with the time fuse mechanism for directing the flame on the ignition of the time fuse from the base to the nose end of the body, and an intercepting plate arranged within the body for separating the charge in the base from the body.

20. In a projectile, a body, a base separable from the body to provide an external and internal joint spaced from each other, a rotating band fitted on the base and over lapping the external joint between it and the body and having a gas check portion at its rear edge for exposure to gas pressure of the firing charge when exploded.

21. In a projectile, a body, a removable base thereon, and a combined rotating and gas check band mountable on the base when removed from the body and locked in position on the engagement of the base with the body and overlapping the joint between the base and the body.

.22. In a projectile, a body, a removable base thereon, a combined rotating and gas check band mountable on the base when removed from the body and locked in position on the engagement of the base with the body, and a time fuse arranged within the base and set from the nose end of the body and adapted to be ignited from the firing charge of the gun.

23. In a projectile, a body, a removable base thereon, a combined rotating and gas check band mountable on the base when removed from the body and secured to the body by a heavy thread and locked in posi tion on the engagement of the base with the body, said base and body being connected by threads reversely arranged with reference to the thread first named, and a fuse arranged within the base for close contact with the bursting charge interiorly of the projectile.

2%. In a projectile, a body, a separable base thereon, and a combined rotating band and gas check carried by the base and overlapping the joint between the same and the body and having a forward tapered edge overlapping a portion of the joint of the body and base and a thin rear edge exposed to the gases of the firing charge of the gun.

25. In a projectile, a body, a separable base thereon, a combined rotating band and gas check carried by the base next to the joint between the same and the body and having a forward tapered edge overlapping a portion of the joint of the body and base and a thin rear edge exposed to the gases of the firing charge of the gun, the said base being formed with an annular gas pocket for exposing the gases of the firing charge to the inner side of the thin edge of the band, said band also abutting the end of the body.

26. In a projectile, a body, a separable base thereon, a combined rotating band and gas check carried by the base next to the joint between the same and the body and having a forward tapered edge overlapping a portion of the joint of the body and base and a thin rear edge exposed to the gases of the firing charge of the gun, the said base being formed with an annular gas pocket for exposing the gases of the firing charge to the inner side of the thin edge of the band, and shrapnel filling the body.

27. In a projectile, a body, a separable base thereon, a combined rotating band and gas check carried by the base next to the joint between the same and the body and having a forward tapered edge overlapping a portion of the joint of the body and base and a thin rear edge exposed to the gases of the firing charge of the gun, the said base being formed with an annular gas pocket for exposing the gases of the firing charge to the inner side of the thin edge of the band, shrapnel filling the body, the said base being formed with a chamber coincident with the interior of the body and adapted to receive explosive, and an intercepting plate separating the shrapnel in the body from the explosive in the base.

28. In a projectile, a body, a separable base thereon, a combined rotating band. and' gas check carried by the base next to the joint between the same and the body and having a forward tapered edge overlapping a portion of the joint of the body and base and a thin rear edge exposed to the gases of the firing charge of the gun, the said base being formed with an annular gas pocket for exposing the gases of the firing charge to the inner side of the thin edge of the band, shrapnel filling the body, the said base being formed with a chamber coincident with the interior of the body and adapted to receive explosive, an intercepting plate separating the shrapnel in the body from the explosive in the base, and a time fuse ignited directly from the firing charge of the gun for flashing the explosive on the exploding of the shrapnel.

29. In a projectile, a body, a separable base thereon, a combined rotating band and gas check carried by the the base next to the joint between the same and the body and having a forward tapered edge overlapping a portion of the joint of the body and base and a thin rear edge exposed to the gases of the firing charge of the gun, the said base being formed with an annular gas pocket for exposing the gases of the firing charge to the inner'side of the thin edge of the band, shrapnel filling the body, the said base being formed with a chamber coincident with the interior of the body and adapted to receive explosive, an intercepting plate separating the shrapnel in the body from the explosive in the base, a time fuse ignited directly from the firing charge for flashing the explosive on the exploding of the shrapnel, and mechanism at the nose end of the body for setting the time fuse.

80. In a projectile, a body, a separable base thereon, a combined rotating band and gas check carried by the base next to the joint between the same and the body and having a forward tapered edge overlapping a portion of the joint of the body and base and a thin rear edge exposed to the gases of the firing charge of the gun, the said base being formed with an annular gas pocket for exposing the gases of the firing charge to the inner side of the thin edge of the band, shrapnel filling the body, the said base being formed with a chamber coincident with the interior of the body and adapted to receive explosive, an intercepting plate separating the shrapnel in the body from the explosive in the base, a time fuse ignited directly from the firing charge of the gun for flashing the explosive on the exploding of the shrapnel, mechanism at the nose end of the body for setting the time fuse, and a percussion fuse embedded within a charge in the projectile.

31. In a projectile, a body, a separable base thereon, a combined rotating band. and

gas check carried by the base next to the joint between the same and the body and having a forward tapered edge overlapping a portion of the joint of the body and base and a thin rear edge exposed to the gases of the firing charge of the gun, the said base being formed with an annular gas pocket for exposing the gases of the firing charge to the inner side of the thin edge of the band, shrapnel filling the body, the said base being formed with a chamber coincident with the interiorof the body and adapted to receive explosive, an intercepting plate separating the shrapnel in the body from the explosive in the base, a time fuse ignited directly from the firing charge of the gun for flashing the explosive on the exploding of the shrapnel, mechanism at the nose end of the body for setting the time fuse, a percussion fuse adapted to be embedded within a charge in the projectile, and means interiorly of the body for directing the'fiame from the time fuse to either end of said body.

32. In a projectile, a body having separable base and nose, a charge confined within the base, body and nose, the connection of the nose with the body being weaker than the connection of the base with the body, and a time fuse adapted to be ignited by the firing charge of a gun and having means for successively exploding the charges in the nose and base, said means including a plurality of concentric tubes opening respectively in the nose and base, the inner tube carrying a charge ignited at the ex terior of the base.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

MICHAEL W. GILMARTIN.

lVitnesses:

G. O. PARKER, BENNETT S. J ONES.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. 0. 

